Say Hello To My Little (Guy) Friend....Seattle, WA

[NetDep]

So - after a lot of resarch and lot of looking I decided on a hybrid. I looked at several and decided that I liked features of the Little Guy Rough Rider/BOSS/Silver Shadow trailers. I called them and they said they could do it -- I also wanted the same tires/wheels as my truck (common in expedition trailers and as you can see - not quite there but will be soon - they are purchased and awaiting some lug nuts). I also wanted it painted to match my truck and some creature comforts -- TV and such. I am happy with the job and happy with the skid plate (pretty beefy). jerry can racks on the fenders, solar panels and solar panel plug ins, roof rack and some of the other touches I wanted. This is a trailer that will serve me well I think - and although maybe not made to drag over boulders of Moab --- I think it is very capable for my needs. I had seen some serious criticism of Little Guy and I will be honest - I had a couple of minor - and one major - glitch with them but they came out like a champ and made everything right.

Immediate mods will be an awning -- trying to decide ARB or Ironman to attach to the roof rack and a "pill" for the roof rack -- one of those storage things from Yakima or Thule. I had thought about a basket but really want some storage for my ARB chairs and blankets and such. I am thinking about ditching the stove that came with it - no igniter and no lock for the "wings" -- I like those features and will either look for something from Snow Peak or use the space for drawer and keep using the single burner Camp Chef I have. I am sure there are things I left out but just got it Friday and looking to take it out for "shakedown" to a local campground this coming Tuesday and in a couple of weeks into a local campground in the Cascades with many more outings in the planning!!!!

Your thoughts/opinions/insights are welcome and encouraged -- this forum is inspiration and motivation for me.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Nicely done!

 

[Mark Harley]

Very Nice!

Please post a picture with your tow vehicle.

 

[pennieslj]

Nice Trailer. We have ARB awnings on our Rough Rider and they have worked great for us. We also have FrontRunner walls for the awning to give us an enclosed changing room. If you mount a rack over the vent check your clearance first. The fan will not work if the vent is not open far enough.

Enjoy the new trailer!

 

[TheThom]

Looks great. Congrats on the purchase. Hurry, most the campgrounds around here are booking up fast....

 

[jeepfreak81]

I love the Little Guy trailers, but man were they expensive for what you get (at least when I looked). Although I guess that is the case with any trailer anymore. Many of these small teardrops make a 5th wheel or travel trailer just look like a bargain for what you get. Too bad I don't enjoy that kind of camping.

 

[Septu]

I love the Little Guy trailers, but man were they expensive for what you get (at least when I looked). Although I guess that is the case with any trailer anymore. Many of these small teardrops make a 5th wheel or travel trailer just look like a bargain for what you get. Too bad I don't enjoy that kind of camping.

I agree... but then that's just the issue. Good luck getting your trailer or 5th wheel down the trail.

 

[skersfan]

Nice looking trailer. I spent some time looking at one at Cruise Moab last year. Seemed to be pretty good craftsmanship, and I loved the doors they had on them. I changed my trailers to using the Hehr doors just because of the Little Guy, actually bought my first set through them. It may not do the Rubicon or some of the others, but I am sure it will get you to pretty much any trail head or semi remote camp site area. The pod idea is great, with a tear drop, you always think you have lots of room, but never quite enough!!!. Hope you have a ball with it.

 

[NetDep]

Thanks for the great comments - and help - had not thought about the fan not working but did read the book (what??) and saw that the fan won't work like pennielsj said so I might have to rethink that or get a thin "pill" to put on the roof rack and not block the vent - thanks!! Will likely head over to Rack & Road - a place that does roof racks and accessories that I have dealt with in the past.

TheThom - you are sure right about that -- no joy on most weekends in campgrounds but took a couple days off and headed to Tolt-McDonald (a King County park with very nice sites!! - I think it is a best kept secret for all us Wetern Washington folks) and headed to Alpine RV in Marblemount on the weekend of 19-20....so - trying hard to find places - and wanting to try some boondocking on BLM land - but want to get a couple of "shakeouts" done first -- first trailer here!!

Mark - hope to get some shots with the Tacoma when I am camping this week -- I really do like setting up shots with the Tacoma and the trailer will be just as fun!!

Guess my ideal is a four to seven day expedition, camping along the way -- I just got the DVD for Washington Backcountry Discovery Route and checking that out -- plenty of summer left!!!! But my real ideal - fantasy if you will - is taking the ferry up to Alaska and driving back on the Al-Can.......maybe someday!!

Jeepfreak81 - yes - nothing seems to be cheap and this was a little steeper because it is a combination of three styles they make and a factory order...but it is what I did the research for and am, so far, very happy with it -- the fit/finish is amazing and the build quality seems very nice. It really is in the price range of a Moby1 or Southern California Teardrop -- both other ones I looked at along with some others....

Do appreciate the comments - feels good - and the ideas/tips & tricks.....everyone is pretty awesome - and this weather??? OMG this weather -- for Seattle -- has me on pins and needles at work waiting to GET OUT!!!!!!!!!

 

[NetDep]

Very Nice!

Please post a picture with your tow vehicle.

Just back from the "shakeout" and had a GREAT time!! Will post more and write more this weekend!!

 

[Mark Harley]

Very nice combo. How is the track width compared to the Toyota?

 

[NetDep]

Nice Trailer. We have ARB awnings on our Rough Rider and they have worked great for us. We also have FrontRunner walls for the awning to give us an enclosed changing room. If you mount a rack over the vent check your clearance first. The fan will not work if the vent is not open far enough.

Enjoy the new trailer!

Thanks for the comments!! Yes - I am enjoying and starting to add a couple of things here and there -- did you have any issues attaching your ARB awning to the roof rack??? If I order the universal mount kit with the awning will they be able to attach it?? Yes - it will be on the side of the rack so the vent is not an issue - that fan - is pretty awesome!!

Thanks again!!

 

[NetDep]

Very nice combo. How is the track width compared to the Toyota?

I haven't measrued it but if memory serves the literature says it is 96" fender to fender -- practically -- it tracks with the truck perfectly! No need for angled mirrors and is a dream - it has electric brakes and on my short trip I did not notice any fuel issues -- headed for a longer trip next weekend so I will pay attention.....

Here is another shot from the rear...if that helps any....

 

[Septu]

But my real ideal - fantasy if you will - is taking the ferry up to Alaska and driving back on the Al-Can.......maybe someday!!

Did the southern half for the first time in a few years (have been taking the alternate route for the last few years). It's a absolutely fantastic trip, and something I think everyone should do at least once - but then I'm biased.

Edit, oh and was just in Bellevue ~3 weeks ago. Nice area. Other than lots of traffic.

 

[Hilldweller]

Nice trailer!
You know there's only 3 or 4 of them like that in that size and with all the skids. I've got one...
6x10 Silver Shadow with RR package, Jeep wheels and tires.
The Jeep couldn't pull the dang thing so I got a Power Wagon.

I like your tail lights; my build was a learning experience for them. They used regular tail lights and build a cage around them after I asked for different ones.
The also moved the license plate to the middle of the rear hatch for me; it kept getting snagged on departures.
The landing gear, jockey wheel, and a few other things were poorly conceived and changed. The water for the sink got fouled on the first outing (dust intrusion) and I had them disappear the sink entirely.

Who'd you deal with? Scott? He's a stand-up guy.

I've lost count of the number of days we've spent in ours in two years. We really really enjoy it.